Where do you see peace?

by | Apr 8, 2025 | Community Conversations, Prayers

Today’s Community Scripture – 4/8/2025

When the city came into view, he wept over it. “If you had only recognized this day, and everything that was good for you! But now it’s too late. In the days ahead your enemies are going to bring up their heavy artillery and surround you, pressing in from every side. They’ll smash you and your babies on the pavement. Not one stone will be left intact. All this because you didn’t recognize and welcome God’s personal visit.”

                           Luke 19:41–44 (MSG)

Key Verse – When the city came into view, he wept over it. “If you had only recognized this day, and everything that was good for you! But now it’s too late. Luke 19:41–42 (MSG)

– Reflection:

                           Where Do You See Peace?

Reading through the book of Luke there are a few things I am relearning or noticing as I go through and now as I write this take you through it too. When Jesus was approaching Jerusalem he was expecting to see peace because that is what the name means to a point. To arrive and see all the chaos, and sin happening really broke his his heart and caused him to cry. Where do you find peace? I know I ised to find it on the basketball court and still do some times but I am beginning to find the best place for peace for me is just sitting quietly and thinking. The hustle and bustle of a day doesn’t overwhelm me but a quiet sit is just ok.

– Where do we go from here?

When Jesus saw the city of Jerusalem, he cried because he did not see peace. He knew that both the city and its political and religious leaders were not pursuing peace. Instead, they were driven by selfishness, greed, a desire for power, and fear. They did not act for the common good of all and failed to care for those in need. Their inability or unwillingness to recognize what leads to peace brought tears to Jesus’ eyes. It is our duty to start a conversation with Jesus that will make him smile and say to us, “Well done.”

– Our Prayer for Today

Father, let my heart break for the things that break yours. Grant me eyes to see what fosters peace, even in the most chaotic and distressing situations. Give me the courage to strive for peace by seeking justice, embracing kindness, and living out love. Amen.

GOD’s Personal Visit

GOD’s Personal Visit

by | Apr 7, 2025 | Community Conversations, Prayers

Today’s Community Scripture – 4/7/2025

 After saying these things, Jesus headed straight up to Jerusalem. When he got near Bethphage and Bethany at the mountain called Olives, he sent off two of the disciples with instructions: “Go to the village across from you. As soon as you enter, you’ll find a colt tethered, one that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says anything, asks, ‘What are you doing?’ say, ‘His Master needs him.’ ” The two left and found it just as he said. As they were untying the colt, its owners said, “What are you doing untying the colt?” They said, “His Master needs him.” They brought the colt to Jesus. Then, throwing their coats on its back, they helped Jesus get on. As he rode, the people gave him a grand welcome, throwing their coats on the street. Right at the crest, where Mount Olives begins its descent, the whole crowd of disciples burst into enthusiastic praise over all the mighty works they had witnessed: Blessed is he who comes, the king in God’s name! All’s well in heaven! Glory in the high places! Some Pharisees from the crowd told him, “Teacher, get your disciples under control!” But he said, “If they kept quiet, the stones would do it for them, shouting praise.”

                         Luke 19:28–40 (MSG)

Key Verse – “Go to the village across from you. As soon as you enter, you’ll find a colt tethered, one that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it. Luke 19:30 (MSG)

– Reflection:

               GOD’s Personal Visit

Sometimes the first step is the hardest. The first step towards action, the first step towards something new, the first step into the unknown. When was a time you took a step of faith, and what was that first step like for you? It was tough to trust in starting something new for a community that I didn’t think would embrace what we were trying to do. Almost five years have passed, and we feel a part of the sports community and the neighboring communities around us. So what I worried about, God wasn’t. It is time to begin adding to what we started, and the anxiety is building again, but knowing how the first opening went, I have no doubt the next installments will unfold just as He planned them.

The passage is about Jesus making His final appearance in Jerusalem. The curtain is closing on the snow folks. He tells two of His followers to go and get the colt tied to a post and what to do when someone asks what they are doing. He is sharing with them, just like the messages He gives us today if we are listening. He’s telling us what to do as well. I bet those guys were probably scared going to get a colt they had no money for, following a word from their friend. That’s what it’s like for me when I’m told to start helping the youth through sport. Beginning to write these posts was all frightening to me, but I had to trust that I am and will continue to do the work that has been placed in my path.

– Where do we go from here?

I know I’ve felt tugs and pulls on my heart to take action just as I explained above, but I was afraid to respond. Have you? What does it look like to respond in faith when we hear the call, “The Lord needs it?” Perhaps we will never see the fruit of our actions, and perhaps we won’t know how it all fits together. But I do know that after we take that first step, responding to those tugs and whispers becomes easier and more natural each time. Where are you feeling that tug today? May you take that first step in faith, for the Lord needs it!

– Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank you very much for including us in your work in the world. Open our hearts and ears to your whispers, guiding us to step out in faith. Grant us the courage and strength to respond faithfully. Amen.

THERE’S A RIGHT TIME FOR EVERYTHING

by | Apr 4, 2025 | Community Conversations, Prayers

Today’s Community Scripture – 4/4/2025

There’s an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth:
A right time for birth and another for death, A right time to plant and another to reap, A right time to kill and another to heal, A right time to destroy and another to construct, A right time to cry and another to laugh, A right time to lament and another to cheer, A right time to make love and another to abstain, A right time to embrace and another to part, A right time to search and another to count your losses, A right time to hold on and another to let go, A right time to rip out and another to mend, A right time to shut up and another to speak up, A right time to love and another to hate, A right time to wage war and another to make peace.

                          Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 (MSG)

Key Verse – There’s an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth. Ecclesiastes 3:1 (MSG)

– Reflection:

               There’s A Right Time For Everything

While it’s crucial to hold onto our dreams and maintain our faith, we must acknowledge that God governs the seasons of our lives and the paths we take. At times, you might experience a fruitful fall harvest, reaping rewards for your faithfulness, basking in warm relationships, and thriving in your career. However, the season can shift, bringing you into winter. What was once thriving may falter. A relationship may cool, and you might feel trapped in your job.

– Where do we go from here?

If you’re stubborn, you try to force things back to the way they used to be, which only leads to frustration. Be open to what God is doing. Some of the things we worry about, lose sleep over, and try to make work out are simply the hand of God changing the season. We don’t realize He is moving people out, making us uncomfortable, and pushing us into our purpose. He’s saying, “You had a good season; you enjoyed it, but to see the new things I have in store, that season is finished. Trust me with your new season.”

– Our Prayer For Today

Father, thank You for changing the times and seasons of my life, knowing what is best for me. Thank You for always working behind the scenes on my behalf. Help me to remain open to what You’re doing and not get stuck in the past season. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Are You Hiding Like Gideon?

Are You Hiding Like Gideon?

by | Apr 3, 2025 | Community Conversations, Prayers

Today’s Community Scripture – 4/3/2025

One day the angel of GOD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, whose son Gideon was threshing wheat in the winepress, out of sight of the Midianites. The angel of GOD appeared to him and said, “GOD is with you, O mighty warrior!” Gideon replied, “With me, my master? If GOD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all the miracle-wonders our parents and grandparents told us about, telling us, ‘Didn’t GOD deliver us from Egypt?’ The fact is, GOD has nothing to do with us—he has turned us over to Midian.” But GOD faced him directly: “Go in this strength that is yours. Save Israel from Midian. Haven’t I just sent you?”

                         Judges 6:11–14 (MSG)

– Reflection:

               Are You Hiding Like Gideon?

God called Gideon a mighty hero while he was hiding in a winepress, afraid and intimidated by the Midianite army. He was called by God to be a deliverer, a history maker, even when he viewed himself as limited, inferior, and at a disadvantage, feeling unable to fulfill this calling. Gideon began making excuses. His weak and defeated mentality nearly prevented him from reaching his destiny. After some further encouragement, he made the switch and saw himself as powerful. I am sure many of us started this way; as I write this, I remember times when I felt like hiding. Gideon seems to represent the person many become as new Christians. You want to be everything, and you are on fire for the Word, but when it’s time to put pen to paper, you may not know what to do or where to go, leading you to hide.

– Where do we go from here?

The question is, how do you see yourself? Do you see yourself as strong, confident, and favored, or as Gideon perceived himself? Are you seerecognizing everything else as powerful, but not yourself? One touch of God’s favor can transform whatever you’re facing. You’re focused on how large your problem is. You need to begin focusing on how great your God is. He promises He’s with you, and He has made you a mighty hero. When negative thoughts arise, telling you that you’re weak, insufficient, or at a disadvantage, simply say, “You have the wrong person. I know who I am. I’m a child of the Most High God, and that empowers me greatly.” Be very different from Gideon.

– Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank You for the strength that rises within us whenever we remember how great You are and what You have done in our lives. Thank You for the times You have delivered our minds from the clutter of fears and doubts. We believe that You are making us into mighty heroes. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Could You have Followed Jesus?

Could You have Followed Jesus?

by | Apr 1, 2025 | Community Conversations, Prayers

Today’s Community Scripture – 4/1/2025

Then Jesus took the Twelve off to the side and said, “Listen carefully. We’re on our way up to Jerusalem. Everything written in the Prophets about the Son of Man will take place. He will be handed over to the Romans, jeered at, made sport of, and spit on. Then, after giving him the third degree, they will kill him. In three days he will rise, alive.” But they didn’t get it, could make neither heads nor tails of what he was talking about. He came to the outskirts of Jericho. A blind man was sitting beside the road asking for handouts. When he heard the rustle of the crowd, he asked what was going on. They told him, “Jesus the Nazarene is going by.” He yelled, “Jesus! Son of David! Mercy, have mercy on me!” Those ahead of Jesus told the man to shut up, but he only yelled all the louder, “Son of David! Mercy, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and ordered him to be brought over. When he had come near, Jesus asked, “What do you want from me?” He said, “Master, I want to see again.” Jesus said, “Go ahead—see again! Your faith has saved and healed you!” The healing was instant: He looked up, seeing—and then followed Jesus, glorifying God. Everyone in the street joined in, shouting praise to God.

Luke 18:31–43 (MSG)

Key Verses – Then Jesus took the Twelve off to the side and said, “Listen carefully. We’re on our way up to Jerusalem. Everything written in the Prophets about the Son of Man will take place. He will be handed over to the Romans, jeered at, made sport of, and spit on. Then, after giving him the third degree, they will kill him. In three days he will rise, alive.” Luke 18:31–33 (MSG)

– Reflection:

Could You Have Followed Jesus?

This passage in Luke is very, well, I’m not sure of the words I want to use for this. Let me explain. Jesus takes his group of followers aside, tells them where they are going, what is going to happen to him, and that he will rise again. While there, he heals a blind man right after explaining what was going to happen. This makes me think that there had to be another force that wouldn’t allow them to see who Jesus really was. I mean, to witness all of those things up to that point and not want to give your life for him at any moment makes me wonder what else was following them around besides just being human beings. As I read it today, I consider how I would like to think I would respond. Ask yourselves that question: how would you have reacted seeing all that this man was doing in real-time?

– Where do we go from here?

If we saw all of those miracles performed right before us, do you think we would be so cynical? Could we honor God’s Son as he needs, helping him with his work instead of questioning him? Or would you be one of those who wanted what he had for yourselves, to puff up your chests for your own gain? I would like to know your responses, guys. Reply to the post with your comments to see how many who read this post would act like the twelve he chose. Remember, there is free will involved, and you are still a human being with worldly wants.

Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank you for being an example for us to follow, for providing us with a blueprint for how to navigate our daily lives and interact with the world. It is an honor for me to create these posts for those who read them and for those who will in the future. Thank you for the path you have laid before each of us to honor GOD. Amen.

What He’s About to Do For You

by | Mar 31, 2025 | Community Conversations

Today’s Community Scripture – 3/31/2025

If you listen obediently to the Voice of GOD, your God, and heartily obey all his commandments that I command you today, GOD, your God, will place you on high, high above all the nations of the world. All these blessings will come down on you and spread out beyond you because you have responded to the Voice of GOD, your God: GOD’s blessing inside the city, GOD’s blessing in the country; GOD’s blessing on your children, the crops of your land, the young of your livestock, the calves of your herds, the lambs of your flocks. GOD’s blessing on your basket and bread bowl; GOD’s blessing in your coming in, GOD’s blessing in your going out. GOD will defeat your enemies who attack you. They’ll come at you on one road and run away on seven roads.

            Deuteronomy 28:1–7 (MSG)

Key Verse – GOD will defeat your enemies who attack you. They’ll come at you on one road and run away on seven roads. Deuteronomy 28:7 (MSG)

– Reflection:

       What He’s About to Do For You

When we all look back over our history and see how we made it through the problems and difficulties, opposition and dysfunction, it was all by the grace of God. That was God fighting our battles. We didn’t overcome those challenges on our own. It’s because we have a protector, a defender, who’s been watching over us. He never sleeps. He’s pushing back darkness, keeping those forces from stopping our purpose. David says, “A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.” That’s the hand of God.

– Where do we go from here?

What has God done for you? All those victories are a sign of God’s goodness. Sometimes we forget the good things God has done, only remembering the hurts, disappointments, mistakes, and setbacks. Please don’t make that mistake; we are meant for so much more. Remember what God has done and give Him thanks today. He is bigger than whatever we face, and He will surely overcome it. What He has done in the past will pale in comparison to what He is about to do.

– Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank You for Your greatness and power and for how Your hand has been upon our lives in countless ways. Thank You for the countless things You have made happen for our good that we could never achieve on our own. We will remember our victories and trust that You will do even greater things. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.